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Powerful UN Ad Campaign Uses Google Suggestions To Show What The Internet Thinks About Women

The United Nations have released a powerful series of advertisements advocating for women’s rights around the world.

The premise is simple – renowned advertising agency Ogilvy & Mathers took four women’s portraits and covered their mouths with some of the auto-complete search terms offered by Google’s search engine. These suggested search terms are based on searches done by other users, so they represent convictions held by many who use the search engine. The search terms are perfect examples of many of the beliefs held in male-dominated societies that prevent women from gaining social, cultural and economic equality.

The ads were ordered by UN Women, the UN’s agency responsible for furthering women’s rights issues around the world. They attempt to address problems like political empowerment, equal opportunity, safety, health issues and others.

The UN’s press release for the ad series says, “the searches confirm the urgent need to continue making the case for women’s rights, empowerment and equality, a cause the organization is pursuing around the world. UN Women is heartened by the initial strong reaction to the ads and hopes they will spark constructive dialogue globally.”

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There is a beast with heart of cold stone
that dashes like lightning, shreds flesh from bone. //
Bewitched by this beast, I fell to my knees.
My mouth babbled madness and mumbled soft pleas. //
I stared down the ravenous, gnashing dark maw of a cute cuddly kitten with yarn in its paw